Folding bootjack.



L. C. BELL.

FOLDING BOOTJACK.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4. 19m.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LANDON C. BELL, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO.

FOLDING BOOTJ'ACK.

Application filed April 4, 1918.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LANDON U. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of F 'anklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Bootjacks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a folding boot jack, and the primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a boot jack which, when extended, will be perfectly eflicient in performing its function, but which may be folded into a very compact form, so as to occupy a minimum space when not in use. I

l/Vith this and other objects in view, such as will appear as my description progresses, my invention comprises the combination and arrangement of parts as set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a jack with the same in its operative position;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the parts folded, and

Fig. 1 is a perspective view with the parts folded.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings includes a pair of elongated sections 1 and 2, which are cut aWay at their forward ends, as at 3, to form a boot receiving recess 4. This recess is constricted upwardly as indicated in Fig. 4- (:f the drawing so as to grip the boot and permit withdrawal of the foot therefrom. The edges of these extended cut-away portions 3 are provided with pad elements 5 to prevent the scratching or marring of the boot during its removal. These sections 1 and 2 are hinged together at their inner longitudinal edges by hinged members 6. The adjacent edge faces 7 of the sections 1 and 2 are flat, as indicated in Fig. 41, so that When the sections are in their extended or operative positions, these faces will contact and cooperate with the hinges 6, which are located on the upper surface of the sections, to prevent the collapsing of the sections. A pair of longitudinal extension sections 8 and 9 are hinged to the under face of the sections Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Serial No. 226,598.

1 and 2 by hinged members 10, the sections 8 and 9 being adapted to extend from the ends of the sections 1 and 2 to increase the length of the boot jack. The end faces of the sections 1 and 2 are flat and are adapted to contact with similar faces at the ends of the sections 8 and 9, so as to limit the movement of the latter sections on the hinges 10 in one direction. These sections 8 and 9 are adapted to fold upon the under faces of the sections 1 and 2, but resilient elements 11 are provided for the purpose of normally maintaining the sections 8 and 9 in their extended positions. Hinged to the under faces of the sections 1 and 2, adjacent to the forward ends thereof, are supporting elements or legs 12, which elements or legs are normally maintained in an extended position, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, by resilient elements 13 and which are adaptedto swing about their hinges to lie over against the under faces of the sections 1 and 2, the folding of these legs or supporting elements being in a direction opposite to that in which the sections 8 and 9 fold. The length of these latter sections and the length of the supporting elements or legs 12 are such that the legs and sections will abut end for end when said elements are in their folded posh tions. The ends of the sections 8 and 9 and the ends of the legs or supporting elements 12 are provided with cooperating elements of snap fasteners, which elements are adapted to inter-engage when the sections and legs are in their folded positions to maintain the same in such positions against the action of the springs 11 and 13. In the drawing the spring pressed studs 14- of usual type are illustrated as being carried by the sections 8 and 9, while the socket members 15 are illustrated as being carried by the legs 12. Of course, these studs and sockets may be reversed, if desired. The value of having the socket members on the legs 12, however, lies in the fact that the socket ll'lOlHbGl'S are flat, with the under surface of the legs and thus will permit the legs to firmly rest upon the sup 'iorting surface.

When the sections and legs are in their extended or operative positions, the forward end of the jack will be held in spaced relation to the supporting surface. \Vhen the jack is not in use, the sections 1 and 2 may be swung about the hinges (3; one upon the other, and the sections 8 and 9 may be swung about their hinges to overlie the sections 1 and 2. At the same time the legs or supporting elements 12 may be swung about their hinges With the cooperating fastener members 14 and 15 engage, at which time the legs 12 and the sections 8 and 9 will be held in their folded positions. The jack When thus folded Will be very compact and consequently Will occupy the mininnunspace. Of course, it is to be understood that the jack may be made of any desirable material, such as Wood, metal, etc.

What I claim is:

1. A boot jack comprising longitudinally foldable sections and transversely foldable sections, and means on the first sections for supporting the jackin an inclined position and for securing the second mentioned sections in their folded positions.

' tions 2. A boot jaclgcomprising sections hinged together on the upper side of the jack, sechinged. to the ends ofthe first mentioned sections on the under side of the jack, and means on the under side of the first mentioned sections for supporting one end of the ack in a raised positionand for securing the second mentioned sections in their folded positions.

3. A boot jack comprising a pair of sections foldable longitudinally one upon the other, a pair oflongitudinal extension sections carried by the ends of the first mentioned sections, and foldable transversely upon said sections, and legs for supporting the boot engaging end of the ack in araised position, said legs being foldable upon the first sections and having means for engaging the second sections and holding the said sections in their folded positions.

4:. A bootjack comprising a pair of sec ti'ons hinged together and adapted to fold longitudinally one upon the other, a pair of longitudinal extension sections hinged to and adapted to fold upon the first sections, means tending to maintain the last mentioned sections in extended positions, and legs for supporting the boot engaging end of the jack in a raised position and adapted to fold upon the firstmentioned sections to engage. the second. mentioned sections :to maintain the latter in their folded positions.

5. A boot jack comprising apair of sections hinged together and adap'ted'to fold longitudinally one upon-the other, a pair of longitudinal extension sections hinged to and adapted to fold upon-the first sections, means tending to maintain the last mentioned sections in extended positions, legs for supporting the boot engaging end of the jack ina raised position andadapted to fold upon the first mentioned sections to engage the second mentioned sections to maintain the latter in their folded positions, and means tending to'ma-intain the legs in their extended positions. p

In testimony whereof I affixmy signature;

. LANDON G. BELL copies of thia patent may be obtained for-five cents eaeh, by addressing the "Commissioner of Eatents,

- 7 Washington, .D. 0. 

